​This year is the 9th annual Computing At School national conference (and my 5th) during which time I've picked up some great ideas and met some fabulous people! Being a seasoned 'veteran' when it comes to education conferences, I thought i'd share some handy tips to help you survive/make the most out of the day:

Mix and mingle – CAS Conference is not just about the workshops and keynotes, it’s also about networking. Talk to the people next to you in workshops and during lunch and breaks. Remember, you all have something in common!

Remember to take your chargers – Your laptop, tablet and phone are going to take a hammering so remember to take all your chargers!Top tip: Take a notebook and pen just in case all your devices fail! I also recommend taking/purchasing a portable USB charger or back-up battery for your phone!

Two heads are better than one – With so many great workshops, you may find it difficult to decide which one to go to. If you’re going with a colleague or friend, split up so that you can cover more sessions!

Speak to the presenters – If you can’t make a workshop, seek out the presenter at the end of the workshop or during lunch and ask if they have any resources to share.

Follow the hashtag – If you can’t make it to the conference, Twitter is the next best thing. Search for the hashtag #CASconf17 and use tools such as TweetDeck or HootSuite to keep track of what’s happening.

Take a break – With so many great ideas buzzing through your head, things can get overwhelming! Take a moment to pause and reflect and don’t forget to drink lots of water.

Try at least one thing – Try at least one thing you picked up at the conference when you return to the classroom the following week. If you leave it too long, you risk losing the initial enthusiasm and momentum!

#SharingIsCaring – Share what you’ve learned with colleagues back at work, on your blog or via social media.

Check out the CAS Community – Visit the CAS Community resources page after the conference to download the presentations from all the workshops and keynotes.